“Sister” Diane Gilleland’s project guide to weaving without expensive equipment, Weaving Un-Loomed, comes to us as an e-book, elegantly situating itself somewhere between environmental consciousness and convenience. It starts up with an introduction to weaving’s concepts and terms, then inspires you with pattern ideas and material choices.

The five projects inside really do have something for everyone, especially if you already have a bit of basic sewing experience. My favorite part about the projects is how easy it is to find the materials in your stash already. Twill tape and a bit of fabric become a funky woven tablecloth, old magazine pages become colorful woven jewelry, and don’t even get me started on what I now want to do with my yarn stash! Not only are the actual weaving materials easy to find, but the tools are even easier. A stiff scrap of cardboard becomes a loom, and the tines of a fork are used to tighten up your work. This is the perfect introduction to weaving concepts if you’re not sure you’re into weaving yet.

If the idea of an e-book gives you pause, fear not. This 60-pager with big, bright photos is friendly to your shelf space and your printer because each project comes with a text-only instruction sheet designed to be printed by itself for crafting away from the warm glow of the screen.

Twill tape placemat:

Woven applique:

Throughout the e-book are links to resources for materials (bet your paper book can’t do that), and at the end there’s a resources section for more loom-less wonders. Check out Diane’s page about the book, where you can download a free sample project! Happy weaving!

Becky Stern (sternlab.org is a DIY guru and director of wearable electronics at Adafruit. She publishes a new project video every week and hosts a live show on YouTube. Formerly Becky was Senior Video Producer for MAKE. Becky lives in Brooklyn, NY and belongs to art groups Free Art & Technology (“release early, often, and with rap music”) and Madagascar Institute (“fear is never boring”).

Edelweiss

I’ve always loved the look of weaving. I could really get into these projects. I’m picturing hand-woven Christmas gifts under the tree in just a few months….